Authorities have launched an investigation into an online bomb threat targeting several educational institutions in La Union, prompting heightened security measures and the temporary suspension of face-to-face classes at one university campus.

In a statement, the La Union Police Provincial Office (LUPPO) said the threat originated from a dummy Facebook account using the name “Britney Madonna Kepya,” which allegedly posted bomb threats along with insulting and provocative remarks directed at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-Mid La Union Campus (DMMMSU-MLUC), Saint John Bosco College of Northern Luzon Inc. and Lorma College.

La Union police director Col. Redentor C. Ulsano said authorities immediately responded after learning of the post, stressing that the threat was treated with utmost seriousness.

Personnel from the San Fernando City Police Station were deployed to secure the affected campuses, while the La Union Provincial Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit conducted security inspections and explosive detection sweeps in coordination with school administrators. Police said no explosives were found.

Additional police personnel were also deployed to reinforce campus security.

Ulsano said the investigation is being conducted in coordination with the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Unit 1 to identify the person behind the dummy Facebook account and determine possible criminal liability.

He stressed that police would continue to treat all bomb threats as credible until proven otherwise.

“LUPPO treats every threat with the utmost seriousness and urgency. The immediate deployment of personnel and specialized units reflects our firm commitment to protecting lives, maintaining order, and preserving public safety,” Ulsano said.

The provincial police also warned that making bomb threats or using dummy social media accounts to spread fear and false information may violate Presidential Decree No. 1727, which penalizes false bomb threats, and Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Meanwhile, DMMMSU announced that classes at its Mid La Union Campus will shift to online or asynchronous learning on Monday while employees will work from home as a precautionary measure.